Chapter 2 · The Rise of Opposites

Tao Te Ching (Legge, 1891) · chapter title added by Learn the Dao

Learn the Dao: a quiet practice for learning the thing that can’t be known.

The chapter’s first line

All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful,

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This chapter in plain modern English — David Kooi’s rendering ↓

All in the world know the beauty of the beautiful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what ugliness is; they all know the skill of the skilful, and in doing this they have (the idea of) what the want of skill is. So it is that existence and non-existence give birth the one to (the idea of) the other; that difficulty and ease produce the one (the idea of) the other; that length and shortness fashion out the one the figure of the other; that (the ideas of) height and lowness arise from the contrast of the one with the other; that the musical notes and tones become harmonious through the relation of one with another; and that being before and behind give the idea of one following another. Therefore the sage manages affairs without doing anything, and conveys his instructions without the use of speech. All things spring up, and there is not one which declines to show itself; they grow, and there is no claim made for their ownership; they go through their processes, and there is no expectation (of a reward for the results). The work is accomplished, and there is no resting in it (as an achievement). The work is done, but how no one can see; 'Tis this that makes the power not cease to be.

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Chapter 2, in a second rendering

Beautiful Invents Ugly

Dao De Kooi — an original rendering by David Kooi

The moment everyone agrees something is beautiful, you've invented ugly. Call one thing good and you've built its opposite in the same breath. Watch it happen sometime - it never misses. That's how the whole set works. Hard and easy define each other. Long and short. Loud and quiet. Before and after. You don't get one end without the other - they're a pair. So the person who gets it does the work without making a thing of it, and teaches mostly by shutting up. Things show up, and you let them. Things leave, and you let them. You can hold something without owning it, do the work without standing on the result. Finish, then don't cling. That's why it lasts.

Next · Chapter 3Not to value and employ men of superior ability is the way to keep the people from rivalry among themselves…Read chapter 3 →

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